Bald Range wildfire jumps Highway 97 Between Peachland and Summerland
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Video captured early Saturday shows the Bald Range wildfire leaping across Highway 97 between Summerland and Peachland. Intense flames and thick smoke are visible on both sides of the roadway as the fire crosses the highway, forcing its full closure in both directions from north of Hardy Street in Peachland to Bentley Road in Summerland.
The out-of-control blaze, first detected around 5:30 p.m. Friday about 15 kilometres northwest of Summerland, exploded under dry conditions and strong winds.
By Friday night it had grown to an estimated 5,000 hectares (roughly 50 square kilometres) with aggressive Rank 5 behaviour, a fast-moving flame front capable of long-range spotting. Multiple structures were lost in the Faulder area and dozens of people were airlifted to safety.
Entire Summerland Under Evacuation Order as Bald Range Wildfire Explodes
SUMMERLAND, B.C. - The entire District of Summerland has been placed under a full Evacuation Order as the rapidly growing Bald Range wildfire (K51490) poses an immediate threat to life and safety.
The District of Summerland declared a state of local emergency early Saturday, August 8, 2026, and ordered all residents to leave immediately.
The order follows earlier evacuations issued Friday evening by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and Regional District of Central Okanagan for areas including Faulder, Garnet Valley, Deer Ridge, and parts south of Peachland.
Residents under the order must evacuate without delay. Reception centres are operating at:
Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 273 Power Street, Penticton
550 Eckhardt Avenue West, Penticton
Westbank Lions Community Hall, 2466 Main Street, West Kelowna
Emergency Support Services registration is available at ess.gov.bc.ca. Those unable to leave should call 9-1-1.
Officials urge the public to monitor the live interactive map at emergency.rdos.bc.ca, the District of Summerland website, and EmergencyInfoBC for the latest updates.
The BC Wildfire Service continues to battle the blaze with ground crews, helicopters, and air tankers. The cause remains under investigation.
Dramatic video shows Bald Range wildfire jumping Highway 97